The founder-president of the Futsal Association of India (FAI) Namdeo Shirgaonkar told The Hindu that the five-a-side Futsal is slowly gaining in popularity in India and he sees the launch of “Premier Futsal” in India as a good development. “The FAI is a partner in the pioneering league with the Premior Futsal Management Limited. We have taken part in the under-20 Futsal World Cup in 2014 in Chile and our aim is to play the in the men’s World Cup to be played in Argentina in 2019. We have staged National championships and one Indian player in each of the eight teams will improve their skills.”
An executive committee member of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Shirgaonkar said he is not aware of any FIFA letter cautioning the launch of the Premier Futsal in India by bodies not associated with the world body. “The FAI is a member of the Asociación Mundial de Futsal (AMF) And the FAI’s job is to educate football players about Futsal and its skills.”
The AIFF may issue a statement soon on the launch of the Premier Futsal that was announced by former Portugal Luis Figo. A reliable source in the know of things confirmed the receipt of a letter from FIFA and said: “I have not read the contents, but I understand that the FIFA wants the AIFF to take note of the proposed Premier Futsal by illegal associations and people.”